Toy



Dec. 1, 1942. v N. J. MCGAUGH ET AL TOY FiledSept. 10, 1940 Z E M 9 ,0

. I \Z k WNW/ye ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 1, 1942 TOY Nan J McGaughand Robert Crispin, Richmond, Mo.

Application September 10, 1940, Serial No. 356,212

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in toys and more particularly to toys of the spring projected type,

An object of the invention is to provide an improved toy device which is highly entertaining and amusing.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a toy embodying a casing adapted to contain a plurality of spring projected pieces which are successively released for projection upon predetermined movement of a cover.

A further object of the invention is to provide a toy of the aforesaid character which is relatively simple and durable in construction and which can be produced at a relatively low cost.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description progresses.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved toy showing the cover partly open and a toy piece thereof in projected arrangement,

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section through the same with the cover fully closed,

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken approximately on line 33 of Figure 2, and

Figure 4 is a horizontal longitudinal section taken approximately on line 44-of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawing, wherein is illustrated a preferred example of the invention, I0 designates the body of the toy which is preferably in the form of a fiat elongated casing member open along a longitudinal top edge. This casing is constructed to provide therein, at longitudinally spaced intervals, a plurality of bores or compartments ll separated by vertical partitions 12 which extend the full height of the body. These major partitions form compartments of ovaloid cross section elongated longitudinally of the body and are provided, at the bottom portions, with relatively short vertical partitions I2 which divide the same to afford a pair of sockets in each compartment. At the top of the body casing are formed complementary longitudinally extending side rails l3 which terminate short of the ends of the body to provide slots [4 thereat. These opposed rails are shaped to provide therein transversely opposed complementary undercut grooves l5.

Slidably engageable with the said grooves is a cover IS in the form of an elongated bar tapered at the ends in conformity with the ends of the casing and approximately semi-circular in cross section, as shown at Figure 3. The flat side I! of this cover bar is directed downwardly in assembly while the transversely curved surface I8 is uppermost and provided, at the medial portion thereof, with a finger notch [9.

In the bottom of each compartment socket is mounted a round helical compression spring 20,

1 illustrated to advantage at Figures 2 and 3. Slidably fitted in the respective compartments of the casing and shaped to normally occupy the major portion thereof are a plurality of toy pieces, in the present example embodying varying forms of figure elements. This set of pieces embodies a figure piece 2| having the lower'por tion of approximately uniform ovaloid cross section from the bottom end to a point nearly midway of the top and having the upper portion carved or shaped in simulation of a capped snowman. A second piece 22 is similar to the piece 2| with the exception that the upper portion is shaped in simulation of an Indian maiden having an upwardly projecting head feather while a third piece 23 is shaped, at the upper part, in simulation of the head of a rabbit, At the bottom ends these pieces are bifurcated, that is, provided with longitudinally directed slots 20' designed so that the divided lower portions occupy the pair of sockets at the bottom of each compartment, as best shown at Figure 2. In two additional compartments of the device are mounted figure pieces 24, 25, 26 and 21, the lower major portions of which are of approximately circular cross section while the upper portions are shaped to represent a clown head, a pumpkin head, a sitting bear and a sitting dog respectively. These round pieces are designed so that a pair thereof may be accommodated in each of the compartments with the lower ends slidably fitted in the sockets thereof.

When the cover bar I6 is in fully closed position the tips of the toy pieces are urged thereagainst and held in retracted enclosed positions thereby, the projecting springs 20 being held under compression. If the cover is slidably moved to opening arrangement, for instance to the right as shown at Figure 1, in a continuous movement the respective spring pressed pieces are successively projected through the top openings of the compartments so that the upper figure simulating parts will extend above the casing. It will also be noted that the cover may be opened in step by step movement to release one or more of the pieces less than the entire set and that the pieces may be removed from the casing for playing therewith separately from the container body.

As will be readily apparent from the drawing the various figure pieces are easily interchangeable so that the circular pieces may be substituted in place of the larger ovaloid pieces or vice versa and the toy may also be arranged so that all of the compartments contain the larger ovaloid pieces or be entirely occupied by the smaller circular pieces.

It is to be understood that the form of our invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that Various changes relative to the material, size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. In a toy, a casing having a plurality of compartments therein, a plurality of toy pieces slidably mounted in the said compartments, spring means disposed in the compartments and adapted to yieldingly urge the pieces to positions partially projected from the top of the casing, and a cover mounted to slide longitudinally on the casing, the said cover being arranged to retain the pieces in retracted positions when closed and to successively release the same for partial projection when slid to open position.

2. In a toy, an elongated casing having a plurality of vertical compartments opening at the top of the casing, the said compartments being ovaloid in cross section, a plurality of pieces slidably fitted in the compartments, the said pieces having figures at the upper portions and being disposed to assume retracted positions within the compartments, springs mounted in the respective compartments adapted to yieldingly urge the figure pieces to positions partially projected above the top of the casing, and a cover slidably connected with the top of the casing and movable longitudinally thereon, the said cover being adapted to retain the spring pressed pieces in retracted positions within the compartments when it is closed thereover and to suecessively release the pieces for partial projection when it is slid longitudinally to uncover the respective compartments.

3. In a' toy, an elongated casing having a plurality of vertical partitions defining elongated compartments therein, a plurality of shorter partitions arranged vertically in the lower portions of the compartments and dividing the same into sockets, a plurality of toy pieces slidably fitted in the compartments, the said pieces having figures formed at the upper portions thereof and. being disposed to assume positions entirely within the compartments when retracted, springs mounted in the respective sockets of the compartments adapted to yieldingly urge the figure piecesto positions partially projected above the top of the casing, and a cover slidably connected with the top of the casing adapted to retain the spring pressed pieces in retracted positions when closed and to release the said pieces for projection when moved along the casing.

NAN JO MCGAUGH. ROBERT CRISPIN. 

